Reliable downhole data transmission system

摘要

A downhole signal transmission system provides electric radiofrequency signals that are coupled to electrically conductive or non-conductive fluids through electrical insulators. A plurality of signal repeaters are tuned to the frequencies of the radiofrequency signals, and a plurality of transmission lines terminated by resonance circuits are also provided such that the terminating resonance circuits resonate on the frequencies of the electric radiofrequency signals. The plurality of signal repeaters and plurality of transmission elements are arranged to be redundant such that a failure of one or more of the signal repeaters or a failure of one or more of the transmission elements does not substantially affect the operation of the data transmission system. The signal repeaters and transmission elements also are arranged such that a failure of any of the signal repeaters or a failure of any of the transmission elements is communicated to the surface.

主权项

1. A downhole signal transmission system for providing communications along a drill string of downhole components comprising a plurality of interconnected downhole components, comprising:
a plurality of signal repeaters spaced along said drill string of downhole components, said signal repeaters being receptive to radiofrequency signals having information modulated thereon; and at least one of said downhole components comprising: a first end containing a resonance circuit, said first end interconnecting with an end of a first adjacent downhole component, a second end, said second end interconnecting with an end of a second adjacent downhole component, and
a conductor through the downhole component, wherein said radiofrequency signals having information modulated thereon are coupled from said first adjacent downhole component to said downhole component through said resonance circuit; and are transmitted through said conductor of said downhole component to at least one of said repeaters.